IBS & Nausea After Eating

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DIANE MARKS Last Updated: Aug 14, 2017

Diane Marks

Diane Marks started her writing career in 2010 and has been in health care administration for more than 30 years. She holds a registered nurse license from Citizens General Hospital School of Nursing, a Bachelor of Arts in health care education from California University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science in health administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

Irritable bowel syndrome is a common digestive condition that causes irregularity in your large intestine. Nausea after eating is a common symptom of IBS, along with other gastric symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, cramping and constipation. Although symptoms from IBS can be severe, they do not cause any permanent damage to any part of your digestive system. There is no cure for IBS, but it can be managed through testing, diagnosis and diet modification.

Cause

Doctors are unsure why some people develop IBS, but it is recognized that some develop the condition after having an intestinal infection. Certain things can trigger symptoms, such as stress, particular foods and medications. Most people notice symptoms after eating specific foods. Foods that are considered common triggers for IBS include milk, chocolate and alcohol. Some fruits, vegetables and carbonated beverages can lead to bloating and nausea.

Symptoms

About one in five Americans experience symptoms of IBS, according to MayoClinic.com, but very few talk with their doctor about their symptoms. Nausea is a common symptom that occurs shortly after eating foods that trigger the condition. You may also develop abdominal pain, bloating, gas, mucus in the stool, diarrhea or constipation. Nausea can also lead to vomiting, which needs to be reported to your doctor. Symptoms can vary significantly between people and need to be evaluated by a doctor.

Treatment

Most treatments require lifestyle changes. Slowly adjust the amount of fiber you eat daily to see if it helps regulate your bowel movements. If you notice that certain foods cause your nausea or other symptoms to worsen, avoid them. Talk with your doctor before removing any food from your diet. Try to eat at about the same time every day to keep your digestive system regular. Increase the amount of water you drink daily to prevent dehydration, and avoid caffeine and alcohol. Exercise can help maintain regularity, reduce stress and keep you active.

Other Considerations

Nausea is a symptom that is common to a variety of digestive disorders. If you’ve been diagnosed with IBS, talk to your doctor about your nausea. If you've not been diagnosed with IBS, you may be experiencing another condition, such as lactose intolerance, gluten intolerance, food poisoning, Chrohn’s disease or a food allergy. Keep a food log of which foods cause digestive symptoms after eating them.